Finding a place to begin talking about preparing to study abroad is overwhelming. Once you have already picked a destination and picked your classes, there is still so much to remember to do before you go.  Luckily, my endless amount of excitement is fuel for preparation. I’ve found that I cannot go an hour ( I already changed my phone to 24 hour time just for fun, I know I’m crazy) without opening up my notes in my iPhone to type something into my “what to bring” list. So I’ll guess I will start there.
           First, make a list. Make this list well before you plan on packing, you will be surprised what you think of when your 3 am insomnia kicks in. Hey, at least you’ll be somewhat productive! By making this list super early, it ends up being a very thorough checklist. Keep in mind where you will be staying, what they will provide for you, what time of year you will be going, and if you plan on traveling. Some unexpected odds and ends that came to my mind in the wee hours of the night are:
·        Electronic converters and phone and computer chargers
·        Weather and travel specific clothing (layers are key)
·        Sheets and towels (if staying in a dorm or apartment)
·        School supplies, if needed
·        Travel size laundry detergent packets
·        Medicine for allergies, headaches, and common colds
           An essential item that also needs to be taken into consideration is your cell phone. Do you plan on buying a cell phone when you get there to avoid costs? Or keeping yours and buying a new SIM card depending on your destination? Keep in mind that your smart phone won’t just be used text and make phone calls back home. There are countless amount of apps for traveling to help you make the most of your experience. Depending on what airline you take, I recommend downloading their app or GateGuru. It is extremely helpful being notified when your flight is delayed or your gate changes, especially in a foreign country. Viber is also an awesome app to use. It allows you to place free texts and calls over wifi so you don’t go into phone bill-shock. It is also always a good idea to download a translation and currency conversion apps. There are thousands out there to choose from. If you plan on doing a little traveling on your own download the hostelworld.com app to avoid living out the plot of a scary movie.
           Another way to help you avoid being in Taken 3 (Okay I know, so not funny) is to make sure you create a budget before you leave and let your bank know when you will be overseas. I have only been to Italy so I can only speak from experience from there, but carrying cash is not typically a great idea. Obviously, you’ll want to carry some, but just only having cash probably is not the best choice. To start your budget, make sure you research the conversion rates in which ever country you plan on visiting. Also, if you plan on traveling, keep that in mind. Do some research on the EuroRail website and figure their traveling rates into your expenses.
Make sure to read the handbooks provided by your study abroad program. They are typically really in depth with what to expect and what to bring. Lastly, have fun, and anything you forget you can buy when you get there, struggling to find shampoo in a European drug store will be an experience in itself.
 Stay tuned throughout the summer for my diaries abroad in Prague and Barcelona!
* Picture belongs to James Vaiana*